As you may or may not know, I have a stomach problem that really can affect how I eat and process foods. As a result, it really affects how I eat. One of the other big side effects is rapid weight loss. For many years, I have frustratingly been losing weight at random and it can get kinda scary. Sometimes I will be fine, and then other times I will have a random relapse. Another thing is I lack the physical enzymes to taste things that other people can. Some foods just do not taste the same to me as other people. Spicy foods are a big one, my tolerance level of spice is FAR below what most people are, and I really avoid those foods altogether. Food can just sometimes be a difficult concept for me. It’s really tough for me to get all of the nutrients that I fundamentally lack, especially because I only like certain foods. I also get full really quickly, and it’s hard for me to finish a whole meal. Sometimes, I have to admit, eating with friends or others is difficult, because I think it’s hard for people to understand why I just can’t eat “adventurous” foods as they can.
Another big thing is that being vegetarian or vegan is really out of the question for me. With so many of my friends being vegetarian or vegan, I often get self-conscious and ashamed that I can’t do the same things. However, things like chicken simply are one of my key sources of protein. I really can’t eat most fish so it’s difficult for me to get protein in other ways. In fact, my doctor even said to me that it would be “not safe at all” for me. What people don’t realize is, while being vegetarian/vegan is a lot healthier for some people, it would be the exact opposite for me.
One of the things that have really helped me is a food diary. I use the My Fitness Pal app!! Apps like these allow you to set personal goals with eating and fitness. Therefore, I can make sure that I am eating the correct amount of calories, sugar, and protein in a day. I also have started seeing a nutritionist online, and this has also helped me. Additionally, I take vitamins and supplements. Since my body doesn’t produce a lot of important ones in general, I needed to find another way to be getting them. Honestly, my mood has improved a lot since taking them! I’ve also begun doing weight training. Weight training has been good for me because it helps build muscle. Before, I was strictly running and doing cardio, which was only making me lose weight.
It’s taking small steps, but it can be a big improvement. It’s so important to remember that everyone has a different body and different needs, so you just never know!